Jesse Hildreth (Junior) McKnight, Jr.

February 4, 1943

J. H. (JUNIOR) McKNIGHT has joined up with the army air corps and left here Sunday for Miami where he starts his life as a cadet in that branch.

November 11, 1943

A/C J. H. McKNIGHT, JR has been home on leave, due to the illness of his father who is in a hospital in St. Augustine.

February 17, 1944

Another Flagler county soldier has just completed his fight training and received his wings. He is J. H. McKNIGHT. JR. and he is here at present on leave visiting his folks. Lt. McKnight was one of seven Florida men who were commissioned at Blytheville, Arkansas, February 8, at the “advanced twin engine flying training school” there.

April 27, 1944

Bomber Pilot Lt. J. H. McKNIGHT, JR., was here on leave last weekend visiting with his folks, but has returned to his tour of duty at Smyrna, Tenn.

August 31, 1944

Lt. J. H. (JUNIOR) McKNIGHT has cabled his wife here that he had landed safely overseas. He now has an address in care of Postmaster, New York City.

November 2, 1944

Pete Barber, who has been at an Eight Air Force bomber station in England for more than a year, recently contacted his brother-in-law, JESSIE (JUNIOR) McKNIGHT, B-24 pilot, also flying out of England. We are also informed by public relations from England that Pete "is an important participant in the Eighth Air Forces onslaught against: Germany" in the "vital job undertaken by ordnance soldiers."

Pete is a member of the 448th Bombardment Group, Heavy, and which was recently cited by the commanding general of the division for "outstanding performance of duty."

Public relations from JUNIOR'S base also informs us that "The B-24 Liberator 4-engine bomber group in which McKnight is a member, recently was cited by Maj. Gen. William E. Kepner for distinguished and outstanding performance of duty."

November 30, 1944

We are advised that J. H. (JUNIOR) McKNIGHT, bomber pilot with the Eighth Air Force, was recently promoted to First Lieutenant. Also his crew recently returned from a mission with one engine shot out and one other out of action: He has been awarded the Air Medal which he is sending home to his wife here.

(We offer double congratulations, Junior. First for getting back with a badly crippled plane, secondly for the promotion)

January 25, 1945

We have two stories from army public relations in the European theater this week. One from England and the other from the Western Front in France.

The first one concerns 1st Lt. JESSE H. (JUNIOR) McKNIGHT, and quotes him as follows:

"It shook us up a bit but that didn't stop up from a making a successful run," First Lieutenant JESSE H. McKNIGHT of Bunnell, pilot of a B-24 Liberator, said in regard to German anti-aircraft fire on his return from an Eighth Air Force bomber assault against the Gerolstein, Germany, rail yards.

"As we turned from the target," Lt. McKNIGHT continued, "we could see smoke billowing up from the fires which our bombs had started. I'm sure we did a good job and no doubt will be remembered for some time by the Germans in that area."

Lt. McKNIGHT is a member of the 466th Bombardment Group, a part of the Second Bombardment Division headed by Major General William E. Kepner.

(Ed Note: This column is proud of both you fellows; you are doing a good job and we hope it will be finished before long).

May 3, 1945

LT MCKNIGHT GETS FOUR OAK LEAF CLUSTERS

Public relations at an Eighth Air Force Liberator Station in England says that: "First Lieutenant JESSIE H. McKNIGHT, of Bunnell, Florida, has been awarded his fourth Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal 'for meritorious achievement in aerial combat,' it was announced recently by Col. E. S. Ligon, commanding officer of the veteran 466th bombardment group.

He is a veteran of 35 bombing missions over Germany, including such vital targets as Berlin, Hamburg and Magdeburg. His citation for the Oak Leaf Cluster reads:

‘For meritorious achievement, in accomplishing with distinction, several operational missions over enemy territory. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by Lieutenant McKNIGHT in the face of determined opposition materially aided in the successful completion of these missions. His actions reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.’

He is a pilot with the 66th bombardment group which received official commendation from Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle, commanding the Eighth Air Force, for combat achievement on their first mission which was an attack against Berlin. It was the longest assault ever flown by any unit in the history of the European Theater and one of the heaviest daylight bombardments of the German capital on record."

May 17, 1945

1st Lt. J. H. (JUNIOR) McKNIGHT has arrived in the States from the ETO. He is a B-24 pilot and has more than 35 missions to his credit.

May 24, 1945

1st Lt. J. H. McKNIGHT, JR., a B-24 pilot from the ETO, is here on furlough after 35 missions in his theater of operations.

June 21, 1945

Lt. "JUNIOR" McKNIGHT reported to Miami for redistribution Tuesday after spending his furlough here with his family and other relatives and friends. He was a member of the Eighth Air Force and served many months in the ETO.